Sacramento State: safe in the storm

The Jan. 4 toppled the tree near the residence halls.

How would the campus respond were a major storm to engulf the campus, causing all manner of problems from flooding to fallen trees to a power failure?

Rest easy, campus community. Emergency plans are in place.

There exists an extensive Multi-Hazard Emergency Preparedness Plan that specifies duties for a slew of campus personnel during a weather emergency. However, should a Katrina-like situation arise, the Emergency Operations Center would be activated to respond in several respects to include an evacuation plan once President Alexander Gonzalez deemed that the campus be closed.

The most likely scenario, however, is what happened Jan. 4 when a blustery storm blew through Sacramento, causing widespread damage.

No sooner did the storm hit than Police Chief Ken Barnett sent periodic weather updates to keep Sac State personnel apprised of the situation. Campus police fanned out across campus assessing trouble spots. After being notified of a downed tree that damaged a car in the parking lot near the Child Care Center, police officers ensured that the children were moved to a safe location.

Facilities Management personnel began clearing debris from storm drains to prevent flooding. Sand bags were placed around the Library, AIRC Building and Eureka and Tahoe halls. Plumbers were dispatched to check drainage sites. Tree service personnel were brought onto campus to clear felled branches and trunks that posed a hazard. Emergency generators were checked along with storm pumps. Meantime, maintenance workers were atop Sacramento Hall to stem a leaky roof.

All told, Sacramento State’s storm response procedures were effective in keeping campus order. While no plan is fail safe, the University’s overarching concern is public safety.

Scores of people were out and about campus, looking for potential problems. Risk manager Kirtland Stout put on his slicker and spent three hours ranging about, taking pictures and relaying the information he gained to other staffers with an eye toward relaying the most accurate information to those who would determine what needed to be done.  Stout noted that no matter how extensive the plan, nothing can replace the perspective of people who are witnessing first-hand the situation.

The storm season generally extends through March. Rest assured that Sacramento State has a plan and plenty of people ready to respond to the next major downpour.